Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus or Indian Bean) has been grown as food for the beans, flowers and leaves in Africa. Asia and the Caribbean. In this country, it has been used for used as an ornamental crop, ground cover, forage, hay, and silage for cattle. Like other members of the Fabaceae/Leguminosae family, the plant has the capability to fix nitrogen and make it an ideal crop to plant to improve soil fertility. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND EATING ANY PART OF THE PLANT.
Hyacinth bean is a twining vine with lavender to purple stems and can be grown as an annual vine in the home garden for its late summer ornamental flowers and the purple pods. Grow on a sturdy trellis to support the weight of the 10-15 feet vine. It prefers light moist well-drained soils in full sun. Plant 1-2 inches deep in individual hills as a specimen/accent plant. May also be planted as a cover crop (12 inches apart with 3 feet between rows). The plants are sensitive to frost and should only be planted after danger of frost. It does well in hot humid climates. Soaking the planting seed overnight in water will enhance germination. The vines grow rapidly and may need to be trimmed regularly depending on the users’ preference. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and can also be used in food plots for deer. Beans take 80 to 120 days to reach maturity.
Some sources indicate all parts of the hyacinth bean can be eaten. The young leaves and beans can be boiled and eaten like butterbeans. Dried seeds must be boiled in several changes of water before they are eaten due to toxic levels of cyanogenic glucosides which can cause vomiting, difficulty breathing, and convulsions if large amounts are consumed. Please research available information before eating any part of the plant. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND EATING ANY PART OF THE PLANT.
